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Daddy Day Care LifeTime Member
Age: 54 Zodiac: Joined: 22 May 2005 Posts: 871 Location: Stoke On Trent
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Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 1:58 Post subject: LPG FAQ |
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OK guys we have a number of LPG related questions on the forums from time to time. I will always try and answer them if I see the post and know the answer.
I am not an LPG installer but do read lots of threads and ask lots of questions when I am at my installers garage.
I thought that I would try and group the most common questions together along with some answers.
What are the main types of LPG systems?
Singlepoint - This is where the gas enters the intake plenum at a single point (throttle body) It is mixed with the air from the air intake and enters the combustion chamber from here.
Multipoint - Exactly that. Holes are drilled in the intake plenum and injectors squirt LPG directly into the combustion chamber (same as your petrol system)
Both will have their own ECUs or Lambda control units which control the amount of LPG used.
Multipoint is more fuel efficient but more expensive.
What about "blowbacks"?
A blowback tends to occur more with singlepoint systems and can blow an airbox apart (trust me on this) It can also take out a mass air meter (and this ) They occur when the gas is not burnt completely - usually when the mixture is too weak.
So I will always get blowbacks on singlepoint systems?
No you will not. The system needs to be set up correctly by somebody who knows what they are doing and has the correct kit to do it. Make sure that plugs and leads are in good condition as LPG is less forgiving than petrol. I had blowbacks for a while and took it to get it set up. Everything was supposed to be spot on but kept getting them. I pulled the first plug and it was fine so thought they all were. When I took the intake plenum off to check the rest I found a duff plug that looked like it had never been changed. A set of NGKs later and no more blowbacks.
Don't listen to the doom and gloom merchants who say that singlepoint is no good. On a Pajero or Shogun engine it is fine. However most installers only fit multipoint now anyway.
Can I fit myself?
Yes if you feel competent. However you must get it certified by a qualified LPGA registered installer. Check with your insurance company if they will allow this. Some insist on proffessional fitting not just certifying.
Where does the tank go?
Entirely up to you. Can go in the back of a LWB but you lose a seat to get it in (maybe two). You can get a smaller petrol tank fitted so that the gas tank goes under the car next to it. This way you don't lose any seats and it looks neat. This is unsurprisingly the most expensive option. In a Shogun sport you can replace the spare wheel with a doughnut tank (is the spare wheel in the floorpan or did I just imagine that?). I assume that this is not possible with a door mounted spare wheel due to the pipework and wiring.
Can you fit LPG to the GDi engine?
You can but it is not a good idea. Injector tips burn out with it. Normal thinking is that petrol cools the tips in normal running. When the emulator for the LPG shuts the petrol injectors down they overheat and burn out the tips. I have recently discovered that what actually happens is a small amount of petrol sits in the injector. This gets heated by the combustion process of the LPG and gums up the injector. Same result but a slightly different reason. Either way, don't do it. I will get posts saying that people have it fitted and it works fine. Go with the majority (including most LPGA installers) and don't fit LPG to the GDi. Sorry folks - buy the 24 valve instead.
Can you use LPG on diesel engines?
Sort of...
It works differently in so much as a diesel engine cannot burn just LPG. The gas is injected with the diesel. This helps the noraml fuel to burn more efficiently an dproduce less emmisions with more power. It is a specialist system and quite expensive due to its limited appeal. You still use diesel, just more effectively.
Is it worth fitting?
Only you can decide that. Get a few quotes from LPGA installers first. Then work out how many miles you cover in a year. You get slightly less MPG from LPG than petrol but the price is around a third. If you want to keep your truck for a few years and do plenty of miles it should be worth the cost.
As I have already said, I am not a qualified LPGA installer but I have run a Pajero on gas for around 3 years and learnt a huge amount in that time. I will be getting my system transferred from the Paj to the Shogun as soon as I can. I think its worth the cost.
I hope that this post is useful to somebody and saves a lot of searching for answers to most common questions.
Any more questions then ask away. If I can't answer them I'm sure the collective wisdom of POCUK can.
Andy |
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Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 1:58 Post subject: Google Ads keep the POCUK free to join! |
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wayne99 ******
Age: 56 Zodiac: Joined: 04 Aug 2003 Posts: 1572 Location: Tewkesbury Glos ( just east of the wet bit )
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Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 21:27 Post subject: |
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Thats about got it Andy |
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_Si_ ***
Joined: 15 Feb 2008 Posts: 200 Location: Savoie, France
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Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 23:30 Post subject: |
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Thanks for this, very useful |
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Daddy Day Care LifeTime Member
Age: 54 Zodiac: Joined: 22 May 2005 Posts: 871 Location: Stoke On Trent
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Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 4:44 Post subject: |
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What is an emulator?
An emulator is the part of the LPG system that fools the cars ECU into thinking that it is still running on petrol. It sends a signal to the ECU that says the injectors are still working when they have been switched off. Some systems run without them but the engine management light flashes to say that there is an injector fault.
Andy |
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nick the nurse Shining Star
Age: 66 Zodiac: Joined: 05 Jul 2004 Posts: 15561 Location: Wolstanton Newcastle Under Lyme Staffs a little sleepy Hamlet full of drunks and OLD PEOPLE!
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Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 4:52 Post subject: |
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Strange how that appeared
I already knew that by OO 2 hrs ago |
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barriesheene ****
Age: 51 Zodiac: Joined: 28 Mar 2006 Posts: 473 Location: Porthcawl s wales
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Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 1:28 Post subject: |
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Andy I'm looking at buying anew truck and have found two I like One is a v6 petrol LPG converted and the other diesel My question is this, as these mitsi lumps arent that economical as diesels anyway, could I run the v6 on lpg for approx the same as the diesel ??? Oh and also do the v6's have any known problems ? I've had a v8 engine blow a head gasket at it really hurt my wallet |
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Daddy Day Care LifeTime Member
Age: 54 Zodiac: Joined: 22 May 2005 Posts: 871 Location: Stoke On Trent
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Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 9:22 Post subject: |
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I'm afraid you can't run LPG for the same cost as diesel.
LPG is much cheaper
42p - 50p a litre. MPG may be less than diesel but at that price it is still loads cheaper. Not to mention quieter and more powerful
No competition in my eyes.
Make sure the LPG is properly installed and take it for a service to make sure it's set up right when you get it.
Petrol motors are pretty reliable as long as they are looked after and serviced properly.
Andy |
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barriesheene ****
Age: 51 Zodiac: Joined: 28 Mar 2006 Posts: 473 Location: Porthcawl s wales
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Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 11:57 Post subject: |
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Cheer's Andy I can see a few heated debates in my household coming up |
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barriesheene ****
Age: 51 Zodiac: Joined: 28 Mar 2006 Posts: 473 Location: Porthcawl s wales
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Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 0:38 Post subject: |
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Ok, thanks to Andy's sale pitch I've won the debate and explained to the wife that we must have a v6 Problem is I'm after an L200 and the V6 is like rocking horse poo Can only find 2 for sale and tbh they are over priced for the milage they have on them. Ok 60,000 isnt to the moon and back but this truck will have to last me a fair few years. So People, please can you keep an eye out Have cash waiting 6/8K |
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Richie LifeTime Member
Age: 24 Zodiac: Joined: 10 Oct 2002 Posts: 9445 Location: Away
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Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 8:35 Post subject: |
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Quote: |
Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 10:57
I can see a few heated debates in my household coming up
Tue Mar 24, 2009 23:38
Ok, thanks to Andy's sale pitch I've won the debate and explained to the wife that we must have a v6. |
41 minutes of debate, and you logged out and back in in that time as well, couldn't have been much of a debate, was a promise of a holiday, or shopping weekend mentioned to her |
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barriesheene ****
Age: 51 Zodiac: Joined: 28 Mar 2006 Posts: 473 Location: Porthcawl s wales
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Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 11:13 Post subject: |
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You know us soo well Ritchie If you look 10.57 to 23.38 is 12 hours 41 minutes !! And i managed a full shift in between to And it was a holiday which is why its come down from 9/10K to 6/8k Trying to haggle for a snorkle , 3" lift and winch and bumper yet tho so it's kinda a work in progress at the mo |
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Richie LifeTime Member
Age: 24 Zodiac: Joined: 10 Oct 2002 Posts: 9445 Location: Away
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Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 11:33 Post subject: |
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Hey, your talking South wales time, I am talking North wales time |
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barriesheene ****
Age: 51 Zodiac: Joined: 28 Mar 2006 Posts: 473 Location: Porthcawl s wales
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Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 1:00 Post subject: |
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Question...............Can you LPG an EVO !!! There's a nice white one on ebay and if i can convert it I may be able to convert the wife |
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nick the nurse Shining Star
Age: 66 Zodiac: Joined: 05 Jul 2004 Posts: 15561 Location: Wolstanton Newcastle Under Lyme Staffs a little sleepy Hamlet full of drunks and OLD PEOPLE!
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Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 1:03 Post subject: |
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NO.....well you can try but you will kill it Barrie Mivecs to complicated tips will burn out ECU will go mad ......and the garage bill will be horrendous |
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barriesheene ****
Age: 51 Zodiac: Joined: 28 Mar 2006 Posts: 473 Location: Porthcawl s wales
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Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 1:10 Post subject: |
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Bug@er |
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